Legal actions if factories found open, says Farhad

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Monday said the government has no plan to reopen apparel factories at this moment. He warned of legal actions if factories are run.

He was responding to reporters following a Cabinet Meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The State Minister said, “We are looking out if anyone has flouted the lockdown rules and opened his factory." He said if there is a proof that someone has opened his factory, legal actions will follow.

Farhad said people interviewed by police on the streets are saying they are going to their workplaces. “We are examining their statements. We are trying to check the names of offices the people are citing.”

He said the government is not contemplating to reopen apparel factories at this point. He said there is no alternative to a strict lockdown. “The Cabinet has discussed the way the coronavirus has spread.”  

He said due to strict lockdown, hundreds of thousands of export-oriented apparel workers’ movement have been stopped. However, there are other reasons for people to move out of their homes. “If anyone found on the street without necessity, he or she will face laws,” he said.